Key Takeaways
- The Economic Coordination Committee approved Rs6.6bn for 30 bullet-proof vehicles.
- The vehicles will be used during the 2027 SCO summit hosted by Pakistan.
- The summit is scheduled for September 2027 in Islamabad.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved a Rs6.6 billion grant for the purchase of 30 bullet-proof vehicles to be used during the upcoming SCO summit in 2027. The summit will be hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad.
This decision was made at a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, where the ECC reviewed a proposal submitted by the Cabinet Division. The vehicles are essential for the safe movement of heads of state during the summit.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a regional alliance focused on security, politics, and economic cooperation. Pakistan has assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State, following the handover from Kyrgyzstan.
The ECC also discussed other proposals, including the minimum indicative prices of the tobacco crop and the revision of cess rates for the fiscal year 2026-27. However, these were deferred for further analysis.
In addition, the committee approved the continuation of gas supply to FatimaFert and Agritech until September 30, 2026, under the existing arrangement. The ECC also considered a proposal regarding the export of donkey meat and hides from the Gwadar Free Zone.
The approval of the Rs6.6 billion grant underscores the importance of security measures during international summits. The vehicles will ensure the safety of dignitaries and officials during the SCO summit in 2027.
The SCO, which was established in 2001, now includes ten member states: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and since 2023, Iran and Belarus. The organisation aims to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including security and trade.
The ECC's decision to approve the grant for the bullet-proof vehicles is a significant step in ensuring the smooth and secure conduct of the SCO summit in Pakistan. The vehicles will be critical for the protection of high-level officials and the overall security of the event.
